Love, the mayor of Saratoga Springs, attracted national attention and support from high-ranking Republicans including House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, in her bid to become the first black Republican woman in Congress.

She told reporters she decided to make her second run for Congress official after talking with voters.

"I wanted to see if the momentum was there, if we could build upon what we had before," Love said. "People are getting behind us and are more determined than ever to win this seat."

Love said she doesn't know yet if she will face a challenge for the GOP nomination. "Hopefully not," she said. "But we'll see."

Matheson released a statement saying, "Now isn't the time for politicking. It's time to roll up our sleeves, work together and get things done."

He said he has "absolute confidence in my ability to win, as I did in the last election."